Book review: Mexico’s struggle for public security: organized crime and state responses

Mexico’s criminal gangs are a real challenge to the state, and so far government policies aimed at combating that threat have not been very successful. This collection, edited by George Philip and Susana Berruecos, poses that organized crime is best combated by institutional reforms directed at strengthening the rule of law and winning over public opinion rather than by a heavy reliance on armed force. While some contributors offer useful detailed descriptions of government reforms, Chris Birkbeck wonders if others have succumbed to phantoms created by media perceptions.